Complementary Characterisation Techniques

Abstract

In this chapter we cover some of the common complementary techniques used for hydrogen storage material characterisation. We begin with thermal analysis and calorimetry, which can be used to determine the thermodynamic properties that can also be measured using hydrogen sorption techniques, as well as activation energies and characteristic temperatures of absorption and desorption. Gas adsorption methods, such as BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area measurement and DFT (Density Functional Theory) based pore size distribution determination, are commonly used to characterise the properties of porous hydrogen adsorbents and so these are then covered, with a focus on the data analysis methods used in each case. We then consider neutron and X-ray powder diffraction and small angle scattering, which can complement hydrogen sorption measurements for both hydrides and porous adsorbents. Different types of spectroscopy are then covered including Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS), proton (1H) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Variable Temperature Infrared (VTIR) spectroscopy. A number of other techniques that do not fit readily into the above categories are also briefly covered.